2010 FIFA World Cup: Rules at Stadiums

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is in full swing. The aim of this post is to inform football fans who are attending matches about what is allowed and disallowed.

There are a number of rules which govern what fans can bring into the 10 stadiums which are hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A general list of prohibited items have been listed in the official 2010 FIFA World Cup Fan Guide and signage at the stadiums will remind fans of what they can and cannot bring into the stadium but there are a few other important points that they will have to take note of.

Parents who want to bring a small child or baby to a match will have to purchase a ticket for themselves as well as their child even if they are planning to have the child sit on their lap throughout the match.

Motorcycle helmets are prohibited but makarapas (safety helmets which have been decorated with football paraphernalia) are allowed as they are worn on the head for the duration of the match.

Stadiums will be open 3 hours before prior to the kick off time for matches 2-63. The stadiums for match 64 will open 4 hours prior to the kick off time. For the opening match the gates at Soccer City will be open from 10am. Fans are encouraged to be seated for the opening ceremony by 1pm. The ceremony starts at 2pm.

Spectators are requested to allow plenty of time and arrive as early as possible to avoid queues and must be aware that there will be no storage facilities at the stadiums to store prohibited items.

Spectators are not permitted to use or bring their video cameras, cameras (except for private use and then only with one lens and no rechargeable batteries) or other sound or video recording equipment or computers or other devices used for the purposes of transmitting or disseminating sound, pictures, descriptions or results of the events via the internet or other forms of media.

Spectators are also not allowed to bring bottles, cups, jugs or cans of any kind as well as other objects made from plastic, glass or any other fragile, non-shatterproof or especially tough material or Terapak packaging. Spectators are able to bring in such items as plastic baby feeding bottles but only in these specific cases of the very young if they are for a particular medical need. Otherwise these objects will not be allowed.

A Standard 1 metre vuvuzela will be allowed into the stadium. No megaphones, hooters, or gas-powered horns. Kuduzelas are also not allowed. The OC would like to urge fans to understand that there are other people in the stadium who would also like to enjoy the game.

Spectators will be expected to leave immediately after the match and the stadium must be cleared within two hours of the final whistle.

Spectators are prohibited from carrying unwieldy objects such as large bags, rucksacks, suitcases and sports bags. “Unwieldy” is given to mean objects which are larger than 25cmx25cmx25cm and which cannot be stowed under the seat in the stadium.

Spectators will not be allowed to bring food into the stadiums.

Food on offer at the stadiums will include hotdogs, boerewors rolls, a variety of sandwiches, pies, halaal catering, crisps, chocolates and sweets.

Spectators are not allowed to bring alcohol in the stadiums, however, there will be alcohol sold at the stadiums.

This is a full list of prohibited items at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Stadiums:

No weapons.

No bottles, cups, jugs or cans.

No recording of sound images or footage other than for private use.

No alcohol or drugs.

No racist or xenophobic material eg t-shirts or flags.

No entering the pitch or area around the pitch.

No banners or flags larger than 2m x 1.5m.

No promotional or commercial material.

No umbrellas.

No motorcycle helmets.

No food or drink.

No gas, spray cans, corrosives or anything that could cause fire.

No fireworks.

No standing on seats.

No excessive noise; megaphone, hooters or gas powered horns. Vuvuzelas are allowed. Kuduzelas are not allowed.

No selling of goods or tickets.

No animals.

No transmitting or broadcasting of sound, pictures, descriptions or results of the events via the Internet or other forms of media.

No objects which could compromise public safety.

No big objects which cannot be stowed under the seat.

Upon entry to the stadium precinct, fans will be directed to entry points by official signage.

Fans will then be directed to enter a security point where a security check will be carried out. A ticket check will also be performed here. Once they have been cleared, they will be directed to a turnstile, where they will be asked to insert their ticket into a ticket reader. If the ticket is valid, they will be granted entry into the stadium.

All stadium sections and seats will be visibly marked but stewards and volunteers are available to assist.

Once inside the stadium there are few guidelines which fans should follow:

Produce your ticket when asked to do so

Only sit in the seat indicated on your ticket

Co-operate during security inspections

Stay out of restricted areas within the stadium

Keep all access stairways and emergency exists clear at all times

Only smoke in designated areas

Co-operate when asked to move to seats other than those allocated for security reasons